Former NFL Player Cierre Wood Sentenced to Life for Girlfriend's Daughter's Death

Cierre Wood, a former professional American football player, was sentenced to prison for the tragic death of his girlfriend's 5-year-old daughter in Las Vegas in April 2019.

Plea Deal and Sentencing

According to court records, Wood, who played in the NFL and Canadian Football League, reached a plea deal with prosecutors in April, admitting to second-degree murder and felony child abuse. He received a sentence of life in prison with the possibility of parole after 10 years for the murder charge. Judge Jacqueline Bluth of the Clark County District Court also imposed a consecutive sentence of >30 months to 6 years for the child abuse charge.

Wood's lawyer did not respond to requests for comment on the sentencing. The plea agreement led prosecutors to dismiss other felony child abuse charges. Notably, Wood opted for an Alford plea, which allows a defendant to maintain innocence while admitting guilt for the purpose of a plea deal.

Child's Mother and Coroner's Findings

In a related development, the child's mother, Amy Taylor, 31, also pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and felony child abuse, as part of a plea deal. According to the coroner's office in Las Vegas, the child, identified as La’Rayah Davis, died on April 9, 2019, due to blunt force injuries.

Former first-round NFL draft pick Cierre Wood, 33, now faces life imprisonment plus additional years for child abuse, while the child's mother has also pleaded guilty to similar charges. The case has drawn significant public attention due to the prominence of the individuals involved and the tragic circumstances surrounding the child's death.